UIB Network Panelists Session at WEF Conference

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank and Water and Environment Forum (WEF), organised a three days national conference on ‘Water and Environment: Sustainable Development in Changing Climate’ 17-19 October 2016.

The session ‘The Upper Indus Basin Network: Collaborating to reduce knowledge gaps and water sector investment risks in the Upper Indus Basin’, was facilitated by Philippus Wester, Chief Scientist, ICIMOD and included a panel comprising: Khalid Mohtadullah, Chair UIB Network, Ghulam Rasul, Director General of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Arshad Pervaiz, Project Director of Glacier Monitoring Research Centre of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Asif Khan, Vice Chancellor of Karakorum International University (KIU) and Nusrat Nasab, the Chief Executive Officer of Focus Humanitarian Assistance.

The UIB Chairperson Mohtadullah shared the history, mission statement, working mechanism, member organisations and Technical Working Groups of UIB Network. Dr Rasul highlighted the significance of collaborative research from the UIB Network platform in context of changing climate in UIB area especially strengthening the network of high altitude meteorological stations. Dr Khan declared the UIB Network a platform to share data through its own data sharing policy. He also shared that network is currently supporting KIU to develop capacity of teaching staff. Mr Pervaiz said his organisation has been carrying out glacier monitoring study of 50 UIB glaciers. He also shared that 64% of already installed meteorological have supported Karakorum Anomaly. Ms Nasab highlighted the importance of involving the local communities in development process. She also emphasised consideration of the environmental impact assessment, selection of appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures and alternative means of local livelihoods before each development.

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